orbicular

[ awr-bik-yuh-ler ]

adjective

1. like an orb; ringlike; circular; spherical; rounded.

orbicular

/ ɔːˈbɪkjʊlə; ɔːˌbɪkjʊˈlærɪtɪ /

adjective

1. circular or spherical
2. (of a leaf or similar flat part) circular or nearly circular
3. rare.
   rounded or total

Derived Forms

• orˈbicularly, adverb
• orbicularity, noun

Other Words From

• or·bicu·lari·ty or·bicu·lar·ness noun
• or·bicu·lar·ly adverb
• subor·bicu·lar adjective
• subor·bicu·lar·ly adverb
• subor·bicu·lari·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of orbicular¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English orbiculer, from Old French orbiculaire and Late Latin orbiculāris “circular, spherical,” equivalent to Latin orbi(s) “disk” + -cul(us) diminutive suffix + -āris; orb, -cule ¹, -ar ¹

Example Sentences

It is — I’m not sure I’m going to pronounce this right — an orbicular batfish, related to spadefish that you can find on the East Coast.

From Washington Post

Shell ovate, smooth, obscure sea green; outer lip above immarginate; inner lip broad, flat; perforations numerous, very small, orbicular and smooth.

From Project Gutenberg

Pod small, orbicular, with only one or two wingless seeds in a cell; valves nerveless, somewhat convex, the margin flattened.

From Project Gutenberg

The eggs of this shell, contained in a transparent orbicular nidus, the size of a turtle's egg, were found thrown up on the sea-beach of the island.

From Project Gutenberg

Sepals.—Two; orbicular; thin; papery; two to four lines across; whitish; equaling the petals.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bulbous
• curled
• curved
• cylindrical
• elliptical
• oval
• rounded
• spherical